Dubrovnik : Full Day Group Sail Boat Tour to Elaphiti & Blue Cave

Eight hours of island hopping feels effortless.

This Dubrovnik full-day sail focuses on the Elaphiti Islands with plenty of water time, plus a small max 8 travelers setup that keeps the day relaxed. I like how the pace is built around real breaks to swim, snorkel, and soak up the views from the water, not just fast stops with cookie-cutter photos.

The one watch-out is the food setup and weather.

The tour says food is not available (lunch is planned on Lopud, but not listed as included), so you’ll want a plan for what you’ll eat. Also, it runs in good weather, so the schedule can shift if conditions are rough.

Key highlights before you go

• A true small-boat day (max 8), so it feels more personal than a big-group cruise.
• Lots of swim-and-snorkel time, plus provided underwater equipment and an outdoor shower.
• Free SUP and free sailing lessons, so you can be active even if you are not a “boat person.”
• The Blue Cave is optional on Koločep, and the admission is listed as free.
• Lopud lunch by the sea is a big part of the day, with extra time to walk or visit a 14th-century monastery if you want.

What a Dubrovnik Elaphiti sail day is really about

This is not the kind of tour where you race from one viewpoint to another. It is a sea day with island time, planned so you can spend the hours that matter doing what the coast is best at: swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

The value here comes from two things that show up again and again in the experience details: time on the water and included gear. You get free welcome drinks, coffee or tea, and snorkeling-ready items (listed as underwater gear), plus free SUP and even free sailing lessons. That means you are not stuck paying extra just to have a good time once you reach the islands.

Also, the boat style and group size help. With a maximum of 8 people, the day has an easier rhythm. You can move around, chat, and still find quiet moments when you want them.

Meeting at Lapadska obala, and how to plan your day

The tour starts at 9:30 am at Lapadska obala 4, Dubrovnik and returns to the same meeting point. It is noted as being near public transportation, which is handy if you do not want to fight for parking.

You will receive a mobile ticket after booking, and the tour runs in English. Confirmation comes at booking, so you should be able to lock in the date early and worry about fewer details once you arrive.

What to bring is simple:

• Swimsuit and a quick-dry layer
• Sun protection and a towel
• Anything specific for eating or drinking, since the tour does not list a full food offering
• If you like photos, bring a waterproof way to protect your phone while you swim

One practical detail: there is an outdoor shower, which makes it much easier to rinse off salt and sand before you hop back on the boat or head into town afterward.

Koločep Island: swimming, snorkeling, and the optional Blue Cave

Koločep is where the day kicks into water mode. You sail out toward the first of the Elaphite islands and get about two hours on Koločep, with a built-in chance to swim and snorkel for roughly an hour.

This stop is described as focused on pristine bays and beaches, with time to enjoy the island at your own pace. The vibe is calm, bird-sound-at-the-cliff calm, the kind of setting where you can actually relax instead of feeling like you are trapped on a schedule.

The big add-on is the Blue Cave possibility. It is listed as optional depending on what the group wants, and the admission ticket is free. Translation: you can choose between more beach time or the cave experience if conditions and timing allow.

From a value standpoint, this is smart. Many day cruises sell you “the cave” as a must-do, but here you have flexibility. If you are excited about it, you can lean into it. If you are more about swimming, you can keep it simple.

Sunj Beach on Lopud: sandy time plus snorkel-friendly rocks

Next up is Sunj Beach on Lopud for about one hour. This is your sandy break, and the tour description calls it a trademark spot for Lopud.

What I like about this setup is that it gives you a different kind of water experience than the rocky swim areas. You can swim and snorkel near the rocks, sunbathe, and even make a quick trip into the beach-club world to grab a drink if you want one.

One consideration is the hour-long timing. If you are the type who likes to linger with a book and no timetable, plan to keep your expectations realistic here. This stop is for quick, high-quality beach time, not an all-day beach vacation.

Lopud Island village walk, lunch by the sea, and a monastery stop

Lopud is usually where the day becomes more “island day” than “boat day.” You get about two hours here, with time to walk through the village and then spend a good chunk of the break with lunch and sea time.

Lunch is planned in a restaurant that is described as being just about 20 meters from the beach. That matters because you do not have to commute across the island just to eat. You can go from swim to meal fast, which keeps the day feeling smooth.

There is also a choice if you want something cultural. The monastery is described as from the 14th century, and the tour includes time to visit it if you want.

Two things to keep in mind:

• The tour states admission ticket is not included for Lopud, so you should not expect it to be fully covered.
• Food is not listed as included as a general item, even though lunch is planned. If you have dietary needs or a strong preference, it is worth planning ahead.

Šipan as the optional extra hour when time allows

Šipan is the flexible stop. You get about one hour, and it is explicitly marked as optional if there is time after the earlier island blocks.

If you do go, the plan is simple: walk around a small village, take in the nature, and swim in the clear water. There is also mention of a cold drink from local restaurants, which sounds like the kind of easy, low-pressure payoff island hopping delivers.

Because this is optional, treat Šipan as a bonus. If it happens, it rounds out the day with another “different island feel.” If it does not, you still have two solid islands plus cruising time built into the itinerary.

The Elaphiti Islands cruising time and extra swim opportunities

After the main island stops, the remainder of the day goes toward sailing and cruising around the Elaphiti islands, with a possible stop for passing bays and swimming.

This part is where the sailing itself becomes the attraction. You are not just using the boat as transport. You are on the water enough that you can feel the geography shift from bay to bay, and you get another chance to jump in if you still want it.

If you are a repeat swimmer, this is a plus. If you are less confident in water, it is still a nice section for relaxing, because you can keep your time above deck and enjoy the sea views without committing to a swim.

Skipper style, boat comfort, and the social feel (Captain Dragan, Zeba)

The day depends a lot on the skipper, and the feedback here is strongly positive about the people running the boat. Names that show up include Captain Dragan and Zeba, and both are described as friendly, efficient, and easy to talk with.

A couple of details matter:

• The boat is described as clean, and it has a sunshade for comfort while cruising.
• The skipper can let you steer the boat if you want, which turns the experience from passive tourism into something you control a bit.
• The boat operation is handled by the skipper in an efficient way, with the day run smoothly even as conditions change.

Weather can also change the tone. One past experience notes that when rain caused issues near Dubrovnik’s old town, the skipper let someone stay aboard and made coffee while they waited. That is the kind of small, practical kindness that turns a “bad weather day” into a “still worth it” day.

Group size is a major factor in all of this. With a maximum of 8, you get conversation if you want it, and space if you do not.

Free sailing lessons, SUP, and underwater gear: what you gain for your money

The included items are not just extras on paper. They change how you spend the day once you hit the water.

Here is what is listed as included:

• Free sailing lessons
• Free welcome drink
• Free SUP (stand up paddle)
• Free coffee or tea
• Free underwater equipment
• Outdoor shower

For your planning, think of it like this. Even if you are not sure you will love sailing, the included instruction and SUP give you a second route to fun. And with underwater gear included, snorkeling and swim stops do not require last-minute rental decisions.

Also, there is a recurring tip from the experience details: you can bring what you want. If you want specific snacks or drinks beyond coffee and tea, bring them along. That is a reasonable approach for a day that is mostly about movement and water time.

Price and value: is 170.43 USD a fair deal?

At $170.43 per person for around 8 hours, this tour does not position itself as a budget bus ride. But the price starts to make sense when you line up what you get included.

You are paying for:

• multiple island stops across the Elaphiti chain
• real swim and snorkel time
• free SUP
• free sailing lessons
• coffee or tea plus a welcome drink
• a small-group setup (max 8), which usually costs more than large-boat tours

Yes, lunch is not presented as fully included across the board, and food is stated as not available as part of the tour offering. So you should budget for lunch while on Lopud and any drinks you want beyond the included coffee or tea.

Still, when the day goes well, the included activities reduce the number of paid extras. That can make the total spend closer to what you would pay for a less inclusive boat tour plus rentals.

Another quiet point: this is a tour that people tend to book ahead. The average booking time noted is about 38 days in advance, which is usually a sign it sells in seasons. If you are traveling in peak months, book early so you have better chance of getting your preferred date.

Who this tour is for, and who should consider other options

You will likely love this tour if you:

• want swimming and snorkeling as a core part of your day
• like sailing with a small group and a friendly skipper
• want variety: Koločep beaches, Lopud sandy time, Lopud lunch, and possibly Šipan
• appreciate included gear like SUP and underwater equipment
• enjoy easy conversation and a skipper who lets you participate, like steering the boat

You might skip it if you:

• expect lunch and meals to be fully included
• want a long, uninterrupted beach day at one single spot
• dislike weather-dependent scheduling and prefer strict, guaranteed timelines

It is also a good fit for couples and small friend groups who want a flexible day that still has structure.

Should you book this Dubrovnik sailing tour?

My take: book it if your ideal Dubrovnik day includes water time and you like the idea of small-group island hopping. The combination of free gear, sailing lessons, and a relaxed pace across Koločep, Lopud, and possibly Šipan is exactly the kind of day that turns a vacation into a memory you can feel in your body, not just your camera roll.

Before you commit, make two quick decisions:

1. Are you okay paying for lunch while on Lopud since food is not listed as included?
2. Are you comfortable with the fact that it needs good weather and may run differently if conditions are not ideal?

If you can answer yes to both, you are set up for a great day on the water. And because it runs with free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time, you can book with less stress.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Dubrovnik Elaphiti sail boat tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where is the meeting point?

It starts at 9:30 am at Lapadska obala 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

The tour notes that food is not available, and lunch is planned on the island of Lopud.

What drinks are included on board?

A welcome drink is included, and you also get free coffee or tea.

Is SUP included?

Yes, free SUP (stand up paddle) is included.

Is underwater equipment included?

Yes, free diving equipment is listed as included, and it is used for the swim and snorkel time at stops.

Is the Blue Cave included?

The Blue Cave visit is possible on Koločep depending on guest wishes, and the admission ticket is listed as free.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.